1.) My visit to the NC History Museum was great. It was very informational and interactive. I wish I had more time to really read every display, but the information I gathered was quite enough. I enjoyed visiting the Story of North Carolina exhibit. The artifacts really reflected the history of the North Carolina. The gallery was very nice and I liked as I walked around everything was in chronological order. As I was walking around the exhibit, I found some interesting facts out about NC that I did not know. My favorite part of the exhibit was the small section on the Civil Rights Movement. I absolutely love Civil Rights history and having the opportunity to be emerged in the history was just wonderful. I thought the “Jim Crow” sign was a great addition. It kind of reminded me of the the time I went to visit the Civil Rights Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. I also enjoyed seeing the ancient artifacts and tools that were used to carve materials. Some of the things that I found to be interesting were the pirate treasures, the historic furniture, old timey shoes, the different digging tools, Civil war guns, and all the decorative pictures. I really enjoyed my visit and it was great to tour the museum from the perspective of a teacher, rather than just a student.
2.)
I would prep my students by discussing with them the purpose of the trip, and how it relates to our class or unit. I would show picture or videos (if any), or the website. Also I would go over the field trip rules and instructions. After that I would give them museum guides.I would prolly have them take the guides home and have them highlight a few of the sections that they really would like to see. So therefore when it’s time to get there, just in case time does not allow the students to visit every gallery, they will be able to see the ones that they are most interested in. I also will have them probably do a KWL Chart. Just to see what they already know and or what they want to learn about the museum; so afterwards we I can see what the students actually learned while there.
The way I would guide my students through the visit, is by allowing them to do a scavenger hunt. I was a little sceptical about the scavenger hunt idea at first, because the students might just rush through it. However, i would design the scavenger hunt so that it would only include a few places, so the students don’t feel rushed. I would want my students to have time to just freely explore rather than try to answer all the questions to a scavenger hunt and they really don’t grasp the information on display. I would possibly give students placement based learning questions, so that as they are walking around they can answer the questions and learn something. I want the students to focus on the establishment of NC and how it grew, developed, and change over time.
I like the Study of North Carolina exhibit so that is the one I would really like for them to focus on; especially if I am teaching 8th grade. I think that that section was very informative, and it will definitely go with content that I will be teaching prior to the visit.
Activities:
Scavenger hunt
Guided questions
Have students take photos (if the students have cameras)
If I have the technology available (ex. Flip Cam’s for each group), it would be nice to have the students record the most interesting section they found and why they liked or chose it.
Extend the activities in the classroom: I would like for the students to complete a brochure of their visit to the museum. What I would like for the students to do is to include some photos, what they found to be interesting, and what they learned from their visit. Or maybe have the students create a travel brochure, for someone visiting NC for the first time. They will have to include interesting facts they found from the museum, photos, time periods, and etc...Or if technology is available, from the students photos and video, have them create a video about their trip to the museum. Also once back at the classroom, together as a class we could complete the KWL Chart.
Questions or Concerns: How do I get or persuade Middle School parents to help chaperone our museum trip. It seems to be very challenging to get middle school parents involved. I think that finding chaperones will be the hardest thing for me. What do I do if I don’t have enough help? That is what I fear, because I will definitely need help especially with middle school students...ESPECIALLY!
Field Trip Guide:
Guided Questions
1.) What clues did the Civil War Flag artifact provide about NC history?
2.) What exhibit did you find most interesting and why?
3.) What exhibit did you least like and why?
4.) If you could change that exhibit how would you do it, or what would you change about it and why?
5.) Pretend you are an archaeologist in the future who is observing the stone tools. What would you be able to conclude about the culture of the past?
6.) Which gallery took the most time or effort?
7.) Describe the setting which you might have found a cannon?
8.)Write a brief paragraph describing an object, gallery, or exhibit. What was it, list the facts, time period, what did knowledge did you gain from it?
2.)
Field Trip Guide:
Guided Questions
1.) What clues did the Civil War Flag artifact provide about NC history?
2.) What exhibit did you find most interesting and why?
3.) What exhibit did you least like and why?
4.) If you could change that exhibit how would you do it, or what would you change about it and why?
5.) Pretend you are an archaeologist in the future who is observing the stone tools. What would you be able to conclude about the culture of the past?
6.) Which gallery took the most time or effort?
7.) Describe the setting which you might have found a cannon?
8.)Write a brief paragraph describing an object, gallery, or exhibit. What was it, list the facts, time period, what did knowledge did you gain from it?